Sodor's Unusual Tales

Fox Hunt

Original version: https://youtu.be/py-6dlqUHxA

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One morning, Corina came up to Henry.

"Henry," she started. "This might sound weird, but do you have any... animal friends? I know some of the other engines have animal friends of their own. Do you have any?"

"Well, I do have one so far," Henry admitted. "A fox named Emmanuel. He lives in my forest. If you ever get the chance, you should drop by to see him."

"I'd love to," said Corina.

In Henry's Forest, there lived a small fox cub named Emmanuel. Whenever he trotted up to Henry, his crew would feed him and watch him play with Henry until it was time to leave.

The fox cub was Henry's only animal friend so far, and he hoped that the future of the little thing would remain intact.

But one morning, things were about go bad for Henry.

It all started when Ryan came into Tidmouth Station with some news.

"Henry, you better head over to your forest!" he exclaimed. "We have fox hunters on the island!"

"What?!" exclaimed Henry. "Why are there fox hunters on the island?!"

"I don't know," said Ryan. "But if anything, Emmanuel might be in trouble."

"You're right," said Henry. "I'm gonna hurry over. You should go alert the others about this!"

"Got it," said Ryan.

And the two engines puffed away.

Around the world, fox hunting is a traditional activity involving the tracking, chasing, and, if caught, killing of a fox, normally a red fox, by trained foxhounds or other scent hounds. A group of unarmed followers, led by a "master of foxhounds" (or "master of hounds"), follow the hounds on foot or on horseback. It is considered controversial, particularly in Britain, and a law was passed to ban the activity in England, Scotland, and Wales, but it continues to be within the law in Northern Ireland and several other countries, including Australia, Canada, France, and the United States.

Since Sodor is a British territory, and the fact that Henry's Forest is a Wildlife Reserve, the presence of fox hunters would naturally make Henry feel worried, especially considering that Emmanuel is the only known fox in general on the island.

As Ryan began spreading the word of the fox hunters, Joey, who was with Ryan when the news initially broke out, had already begun searching for the hunters. He was about enter Wellsworth Station, when...

*Bugle charge noise*

"Uh-oh," he muttered.

Coming into Joey's view was large of group of foxhounds followed by a large group of men riding on horses.

"They're heading straight for Henry's Forest," said Joey.

"We better hurry over," said his driver.

And they did so.

Meanwhile, Henry had arrived at his forest to look for Emmanuel, but instead, he found Corina looking just as worried.

"You're looking for Emmanuel too?" he asked her.

"I was just at the Wildlife Center when they got the call from Tidmouth," replied Corina. "So, I went looking for Emmanuel too. I see all kinds of animals here in your forest, but I haven't found a fox cub."

"He shouldn't be too hard to find," said Henry. "He's only known fox on Sodor."

Just then, Terence came in.

"I think we're all lucky that I've been looking for the little guy too," he said to the two enignes.

"Have you seen him, Terence?" Henry asked.

"Actually, I have," Terence answered. "He trotted across the tracks a few minutes before you arrived. He's headed for the forest clearing."

"Let's head over there!" said Corina.

And the three set off for the clearing.

They charged out of the forest as fast as they could and had just arrived at the clearing, when Emmanuel scrambled up the hill and down towards them.

"Hurry, bud!" shouted Henry. "Get behind us!"

Unfortunately, no sooner did Henry shout that to Emmanuel... when the fox hunters came into their view.

"Get that cub!" shouted the master.

Luckily, Emmanuel made it to the trio and hopped into Henry's cab, but the fox hunters weren't stopping.

So, Henry and Corina closed their eyes and wheeshed a large cloud of steam at the fox hunters, blinding them.

"Blast!" shouted one of the hunters. "Where are they?!"

The steam was so thick, that it allowed the three to get away, with Emmanuel in their custody.

That evening, Henry, Corina, and Terence had already returned to the forest, where Emmanuel hopped out and snuggled up against Henry's buffer beam, safe from the hunters.

"We should probably take him to the Wildlife Center just to be safe," Terence suggested.

Henry and Corina agreed. So, Henry's crew brought Emmanuel back into the cab and they set off for the Wildlife Center.

To their surprise, Thomas and Mister Starr were there.

"Well done, Henry," said Thomas. "The others are very proud of you."

"Thanks, Thomas," replied Henry.

"What happened to the hunters?" Corina asked.

"We already went ahead and caught them," Mister Starr answered. "We sent them off the island in disgrace. So, why have you brought Emmanuel here for?"

"We've decided that he would be safe here at the Wildlife Center," replied Terence. "It's better to have lone cubs to be around this center, where they'll feel safe with the rangers."

"Sound like a great idea," said Thomas.

And with that Henry's crew brought Emmanuel into the center, and Henry can now relax knowing that his only animal friend is safe and sound.

Meanwhile, a private passenger boat, the fox hunters weren't too pleased with being sent home in disgrace.

As the hunters complained about what had happened back on Sodor, the master was talking to a shadowy figure.

"That blasted green locomotive is too sensitive about his forest," said the master. "Someone needs to put him in his place!"

"I know someone who could help," said the shadowy figure. "He too has a grudge against Old Square Wheels. And he has just the plan to take over that forest."

Little did Henry know that he was about to find himself... in a war.